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Xtra Time Web Desk: Team India will begin its campaign in the WTC 2023-25 cycle with the series against West Indies from next month. Rohit Sharma and his boys will play two test matches in the Caribbean. The first test will be played in Windsor Park in Dominica from July 12-16 while the second test match will be played at the Queens Park Oval from July 20-24.
The selectors are unlikely to make too many changes from the WTC Final squad. Despite the presence of Shardul Thakur and Ravindra Jadeja, Indian team did miss someone of the calibre of Hardik Pandya for the one-off test. Hardik we all know has taken an exile from test cricket due to his string of injuries.
“If I want to play Test cricket, I will go through the grind, I will earn my position and then come back. For that reason, to be very honest, I will not be available or play the World Test Championship Final, or any future Test matches until I feel that I have earned my spot,” Hardik said about his test future.
The Gujarat Titans captain was seen bowling regularly in recently concluded IPL 2023 matches, proving he is completely fit. But the million-dollar question is will he change his mind and return to the longer format given the World Cup is just three months away and T20 World Cup next year.
Hardik last featured in a test match back in 2018 during the tour to England. He played a key role in India winning the only test match in that series at Trentbridge in Nottingham.
Shiv Sundar Das led selection committee is likely to have a word with Hardik to know what his plans are before picking the test squad against West Indies.
Former India captain and ex-BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly too said in an interview that he would have loved to see Hardik play in the one-off WTC Final given the strength he would have added to the team. Even former Australia captain Ricky Ponting echoed the same opinion saying Hardik could have been the X-factor in the WTC Final.
Whether Hardik himself thinks the same is what matters. For a player of the calibre of Hardik Pandya can easily walk into any formats. It goes to be seen what is the approach of the selectors and BCCI top brass with Hardik as far as test format is concerned.
The post Will the selectors and BCCI convince Hardik Pandya to make a comeback in test format? first appeared on XtraTime.||----------------------------------------
By: XtraTime
Title: Will the selectors and BCCI convince Hardik Pandya to make a comeback in test format?
Sourced From: xtratime.in/will-the-selectors-and-bcci-convince-hardik-pandya-to-make-a-comeback-in-test-format/
Published Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2023 03:37:27 +0000
